VAPOR-X: Volatile Analysis PlatfORm for eXtended matrices in health and disease
VAPOR-X is a high-end GCxGC-QTOF-MS analytical platform supporting high-resolution analysis of volatile and semi-volatile compounds for healthcare.
Situation before
Volatile (VOCs) and semivolatile compounds (SVOCs) are metabolic byproducts of human physiology and are excreted in several biological matrices like breath, sweat, urine, faeces and blood. Molecular ‘omics’ analysis of these volatiles can thus be used to noninvasively monitor human health. However, most analytical technology lack ultralow detection limits and sufficient resolution, hindering accurate identification and quantification needed for VOC biomarker discovery, pathway analysis, and compound monitoring. We provide state-of-the-art, high-throughput TD-GCxGC-QTOF-MS technology with four complementary injectors, with the unique possibility to analyse, identify and follow-up different samples types (breath, biopsies, cells, faeces, blood) on one device from one or more patients.
Technology
- Tube conditioner (TC-20; Markes international): automated and simultaneous conditioning and dry-purging of up to 20 thermal desorption tubes for the analysis of gaseous samples.
- Thermal desorber (TD100-xr; Markes International): a high-throughput platform for the analysis of sub-ppt levels of gaseous samples.
- Micro chamber/thermal extractor (µ-CTETM, Markes International): analyzing headspace emissions from up to four samples simultaneously from cells, tissues, liquids.
- PAL3 series II RSI 120 autosampler (Agilent Technologies): combines liquid, headspace, and SPME injection into one instrument.
- Agilent 8890 GC (Agilent): supports multiple sample inlets, four detectors, four detector signals and protects against gas contaminants.
- Agilent 7250 GC/QTOF (Agilent): Fast acquisition of accurate, reproducible and sensitive detection of accurate mass data with integrated pathway analysis.
Partners we search for
Academic, clinical, pharma, and biotech partners can use this facility to study VOCs as diagnostic, predictive and monitoring markers of health and disease in breath, faeces, blood as well as cells and tissues, both in human and animal experiments.
About the researchers/research group
The Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP) performs innovative and cutting-edge research related to inflammation in a multidisciplinary setting. LEMP houses the Volatomics Lab specifically focusing on the analysis of (semi)-volatiles with proven expertise in cancer research, in vitro research and environmental research. LEMP teams up with the toxicology lab, focusing on steroid analysis using the platform.
• Prof dr Benedicte De Winter, LEMP, head of department
• Prof dr Kevin Lamote, LEMP, Volatomics research professor
• Prof dr Adrian Covaci, Toxicology lab, head of department
• Dr Stefaniya Velichkova, LEMP, experienced lab technician
More information
University of Antwerp
Valorisation Office
Middelheimlaan 1
2020 Antwerpen